Gael Monfils, who fell to 276th place in the world, beat the American Christopher Eubanks, 29th and recent surprise quarter-finalist at Wimbledon, 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (4/7), 6-1, Monday in the first round of the Toronto Masters 1000 (hard). It is the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, world No.4 and Sunday winner of the Los Cabos tournament, who is now waiting for the 36-year-old Frenchman in the next round.
Very supported by the Canadian public, Monfils snatched the first set in the decisive game, obtaining the set point thanks to a superb passing. After leading 5-3 and serving to win the second set, Monfils lost focus. Despite Eubanks coming back at 6-5, he still had the chance to finish, but the 27-year-old American saved two match points. It was finally the sensation of the last Wimbledon who snatched the second set in the tie-break during which Monfils nevertheless led 4-1.
The third set, however, turned largely in favor of the Frenchman, who finished with a 6-1 after almost 2h30 of play. “It was a difficult match, but I gained a little confidence last week in Washington ( he went to the round of 16, editor’s note). It’s always good to beat high level players. I’m very happy,” said Monfils, who has struggled with repeated injuries in recent years and whose only first-half victory came in the first round of Roland-Garros.
The other Frenchmen, Adrian Mannarino and Grégoire Barrère, were however eliminated in Toronto. Mannarino lost to Japanese Taro Daniel 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 while Barrère was beaten by Italian Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-3.
